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Lawsuit Slams Officer, UIW Over Redus Shooting

by Jim Forsyth, photo credit Shutterstock Images

Five months after University of the Incarnate Word police officer Christopher Carter shot and killed student Cameron Redus in a confrontation which sparked national headlines, Redus' family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the officer and the university, 1200 WOAI's Michael Main reports.

“Carter, without justification, initiated a verbal confrontation in the parking lot that became an altercation," the lawsuit claims.

The lawsuit says the University 'recklessly failed' in the hiring, training, and supervision of Carter.It also claims that Carter used 'excessive force without justification,' violating University policy.

Last December, Redus, 23, was returning from a gathering called to celebrate the end of the semester, when he was pulled over on Broadway for allegedly driving erratically.

When Redus pulled into the parking lot of his apartment complex, the incident quickly escalated, and ended when Carter shot Redus five times, including once in the back, and once, according to an autopsy, when he appeared to be on his knees.

Redus was not armed, although the police report claimed he stripped Carter briefly of his police baton.The officer had regained the baton when he said Redus lunged at him.Witnesses said they heard Redus taunting Carter, saying mockingly, 'what are you gonna to, shoot me?'

The lawsuit also alleges that the University provided improper training and supervision to Carter.

“Cameron Redus would be alive if UIW had adequately trained and supervised," the lawsuit claims.

The lawsuit does not seek a specific monetary damage amount from the university and Carter.